Supplement Quality

ConsumerLab LLC
http://www.ConsumerLab.com
ConsumerLab.com, LLC ("CL") isthe leading provider of independent test results and information tohelp consumers and healthcare professionals evaluate health, wellness,and nutrition products. It publishes results of its tests atwww.consumerlab.com — which receives over 2.5 million visits per year,in its acclaimed book ConsumerLab.com's Guide to Buying Vitamins &Supplements As a certification company, CL enables companies of allsizes to have their products voluntarily tested for potential inclusionin its list of Approved Quality products and bear the CL Seal. Sinceits founding in 1999, CL has tested more than 2,000 products,representing over 350 different brands . Products are tested throughCL's Product Reviews and its Voluntary Certification Program Productsare tested for the following:

- Identity: Does the product meetrecognized standards of quality and does the product meet the level ofquality claimed on the label?

- Strength (quantity): Does the product contain the amount of ingredient claimed on the label?

- Purity: Is the product free of common contaminants?

- Availability: Does the product break apart properly so that it may be used by the body?

[See ConsumerLab.com Home Test for Disintegration for how to test yoursupplements] These criteria must be met to be considered Approved byCL. If a manufacturer seeks to use the CL Seal of Approval, the productwill be tested for these criteria every twelve months based on a randomsample purchased on the open market.

GMP

GMP - The Good ManufacturingPractice (GMP) regulations are promulgated by the US Food and DrugAdministration under the authority of the Federal Food, Drug, andCosmetic Act. These regulations, which have the force of law, requirethat manufacturers, processors, and packagers of drugs, medicaldevices, some food, and blood take proactive steps to ensure that theirproducts are safe, pure, and effective. GMP regulations require aquality approach to manufacturing, enabling companies to minimize oreliminate instances of contamination, mixups, and errors. GMPregulations address issues including recordkeeping, personnelqualifications, sanitation, cleanliness, equipment verification,process validation, and complaint handling.

This protectsthe consumer from purchasing a product which is non-effective or un-healthy. Failure of firms to comply with GMP regulations can resultin very serious consequences including recall, seizure, fines, and jailtime.

Kof-K Kosher
http://www.kof-k.org

The KOF-K emblem is the internationally recognized trademark ofKOF-K Kosher Supervision, one of the foremost Kosher certification agencies in the United States.

Only those products andservices meeting the strictest standards of Kosher law are permitted todisplay the symbol, which is protected under Federal law againstunauthorized use. When consumers see the KOF-K on a product, they knowthey are buying food that meet the highest levels of Kashrus (Kosherlaw). The KOF-K has an international network of regional coordinatorsand Rabbinic representatives, to conduct frequent visits to majormanufacturers and their suppliers at every location where Koshersupervision is needed. Each product or service under KOF-K Supervisionis carefully monitored by regional coordinators, field supervisors andthe staff at KOF-K headquarters. Confidentiality of all proprietary information is assured.

Kof-K Kosher Supervision
Teaneck, NJ 07666

QAI Organic Program

Independent, third party certification of organic food systems has beenthe foundation of domestic and international organic food trade. Theevolution of this verification effort, which documents the authenticityof organic farming and various subsequent levels of handling, ismandatory under the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) andfull implementation of the National Organic Program (NOP) Final Rule.This rule requires certification of all products labeled as organic inthe United States.

Quality Assurance International - Eachparticipant in the QAI program is viewed as an independent entity.Because QAI recognizes that no two operations are identical, eachentity is provided with the greatest level of individualized servicepossible within the parameters of the program's high level ofintegrity, and within the uniformity of national standards promulgatedby the USDA under OFPA.

Star-K Kosher
http://www.star-k.org

The Star-K kosher symbol is regarded as being in the top tier of strictness and quality.

Star-K Kosher Certification

Baltimore, MD 21208

TruLabel
http://www.naturalproductsassoc.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ic_bg_trulabel
TruLabel - For companies whomanufacture dietary supplements and herbs under their own label.TruLabel is a compliance initiative only for qualified members of theNatural Products Association's TruLabel program. More than 17,000 product labels are currently registered as part of the TruLabel program, promoting quality assurance, safety and guideline complianceto dietary supplement suppliers.

Should a randomly monitored, independent laboratory test of a TruLabel product reveal a deficiency, the member company is contacted and given a brief period to correct the product or label. A company that fails to comply is expelled from NPA membership.

USP

USP - USP verifies the identity,strength, purity, and quality of dietary supplement finished products,dietary supplement ingredients, and pharmaceutical ingredients.Products and ingredientsthat pass all USP verification requirements–including a GMP audit,product and ingredient testing, and manufacturing documentationreview–are awarded use of the distinctive "USP Verified" mark.Participation is voluntary and available to manufacturers worldwide.USP's verification services draw upon its experience of more than 185years in setting federally recognized public standards for medicinesand dietary supplements that are used today in more than 130 countriesaround the world. USP Verified Dietary Supplements

USP teststhe purity, potency, and quality of dietary supplement finishedproducts. Only those that meet USP's stringent criteria are awarded useof the USP Verified Dietary Supplement Mark to display on their productlabels. Finding this mark on a dietary supplement label helps to assureconsumers that the supplements they buy provide the expected value. Seewhich companies are participating in the program. Get a list ofverified supplements and find out where they're available. Learn howUSPverifies supplements. Find out how supplement manufacturers canparticipate.

The USP Verified Mark used for finished product. Learn more here.

USP Verified Dietary Supplement Ingredients

USP verifies active and inactive ingredients used in the manufacture ofdietary supplement products. Ingredients that pass USP's rigorousverification processes are awarded use of the USP Verified DietarySupplement Ingredient Mark to display on containers of the verifiedingredient. The mark helps manufacturers recognize that they are buyingingredients of consistent quality for use in the supplements theymanufacture. Learn which companies are participating in the ingredientverification program. Get a list of verified dietary supplementingredients. Learn how USP verifies ingredients.